You are here

Beck, Con-Tech, Kenworth and Mack ensure robust CIM Auction payload

Concrete News
Mack raw

For the second year in a row, the Concrete Industry Management Auction at World of Concrete will have an equipment pool topped by two mixers, thanks to donations from Beck Industrial and Mack Trucks, plus Con-Tech Manufacturing, Kenworth Truck and Kenworth of Central Florida. Vehicle bidding will cap the CIM Auction, January 23 in Las Vegas Convention Center Room N262.
The Beck 11-yd. Interstate Class mixer bears on a Mack Granite with set forward axle; MP7-395C engine rated at 375 hp and 1,560 lb.-ft. torque; and, mDRIVE HD 14-speed, ultra-low creeper/multi-speed reverse transmission.
C T raw
The Con-Tech 11-yd. BridgeKing bears on a Kenworth T880S with set forward axle; Paccar MX 11 engine rated at 430 hp and 1,650 lb.-ft. torque; and, Allison 4700 7-speed automatic transmission.

The first truck is a Beck 11-yd. Interstate Class Vortex paving mixer mounted on a 2019 Mack Granite Bridge Formula GR64F. “We believe in this program and we see proof as every year, more CIM graduates assume leadership roles in the industry,” says Frank Beck, partner at Texas-based Beck Industrial.

The second truck is a Con-Tech 11-yd. BridgeKing mounted on a Kenworth T880S Set Forward Axle model. “What a great industry to support and thank you to all of our loyal customers who make this donation possible,” notes Con-Tech President Dan Welsh, urging auction participants to “get ready to bid it up and support our young people in the concrete industry.”

The CIM Auction pool spans concrete production and construction equipment, tools, materials and technology products, plus travel, entertainment and sports event packages. The January 23 schedule calls for a silent auction on select items, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., followed by live bidding—on site or online—under the direction of Ritchie Bros. auctioneers. A full list of auction offerings is posted at www.concretedegree.com/auction.

“We have the potential for our greatest auction ever,” says CIM National Steering Committee Executive Director Eugene Martineau, who in addition to Beck Industrial, Con-Tech, Kenworth and Mack credits the auction’s sustained success to other major, perennial CIM Auction donors and supporters—among them Richie Bros. and World of Concrete show management, Cemex USA, Command Alkon, LafargeHolcim, Lehigh Hanson and Somero Enterprises. The Committee directs proceeds to four-year degree CIM programs at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro; New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark; Texas State University, San Marcos; and, California State University, Chico.

COMMAND ALKON TEAMS WITH MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE CIM GRADUATES

The recently developed Graduate Development Program at Command Alkon, Birmingham, Ala., provides Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) School of Concrete and Construction Management graduates an opportunity to gain real-world industry experience, rendering a workforce that is qualified to fill in the gaps caused by the labor shortage. While thousands of construction jobs are added each month, industry recruiting has been burdened by the fact that relatively few colleges and universities counsel and equip students to consider high-paying construction careers.

The MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management’s Concrete Industry Management Program is designed to combat the anticipated shortage of managers needed to support projected business growth. Command Alkon has fostered a close relationship with the CIM Program patrons and National Steering Committee over the years, and developed a program designed to arm students with the skills and insight they need to succeed.

“A lot of the time, we look to hire individuals with experience in the industry, but that might be a little difficult to find in a student who just graduated,” says Command Alkon People Business Manager Michael Wolfe. “The whole point of this program is to provide an opportunity for these students to gain experience. Each department in the company has made the commitment that we are all going to contribute to the student’s success.”

“What I’ve noticed since I’ve been here is a very positive environment,” says Taylor Northern, student. “This is a great opportunity because I get the chance to continuously learn and work with various departments and technology systems to determine where I would excel in the industry.”

The 24-month Graduate Development Program launched in 2018. For the first 18 months, students rotate between different departments to get a flavor for the contributions that each team makes to Command Alkon and the industry as a whole. Students will ultimately choose an area of the company where they feel they can thrive for the last six months of the program. More Graduate Development details can be obtained from Michael Wolfe, [email protected].